Chewing gums and methods for extracting chemicals from oral cavities and breath

Abstract

A chewing gum has absorbent material, such as polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), for absorbing or adsorbing volatile and non-volatile chemicals from an oral cavity or breath of a user. While the gum is being chewed, chemicals in the breaths and saliva of the user absorb or adsorb into the absorbent material. The absorbent material is then analyzed to determine the amount of chemicals absorbed or adsorbed into the absorbent material over time. Based on such analysis, various diseases or conditions can be detected or diagnosed.

Now, therefore, the following is claimed: 
     
         1 . A chewing gum for extracting chemicals from an oral cavity or breath of a user, comprising:
 polydimethylsiloxane; and   clay.